Arsenal’s financial penalty revealed after confirmed rule breach
Arsenal have learned their punishment after being found guilty of breaching the FA’s rules.
There has been speculation in recent weeks Arsenal could breach Uefa’s financial rules following their heavy spending in the summer transfer window.
Clubs in European competitions are required to keep spending on player wages and fees to 70 per cent of revenue for this calendar year under the governing body’s regulations.
Arsenal posted a club-record revenue in 2023-24 after their turnover improved from £466.7million to £616.6m.
However, Arsenal’s wage bill is the fourth-highest in the Premier League, with their latest published accounts for 2023-24 revealing their wages surged from £234.8m in 2022-23 to £327.8m, and that is expected to have risen following their spending this year.
Arsenal hit by FA penalty after Man United reveal
It has now been confirmed Arsenal have been hit with a suspended fine, but it is not related to Uefa’s assessment.
The FA revealed on Friday (10 October) the Professional Game Board (PGB) has sanctioned the Gunners for breaching the FA Cup rule 192 last season.
It relates to Arsenal’s third-round clash against Manchester United, where they were beaten on penalties at the Emirates Stadium on 12 January.
The rule in question states the home club shall comply with any request for tickets made in accordance with rule 191.
Under rule 191, the away club – in this case Man United – have the right to claim up to 15 per cent of tickets issued or, if a ground is not all ticketed, up to 15 per cent of its maximum capacity, provided the tickets are for a fully segregated area and the request is made within four days of the relevant draw.
Arsenal receive six-figure suspended fine after rule breach
The matter was referred to the PGB for consideration after it was alleged Arsenal had failed to comply with the rules.
The PGB decided Mikel Arteta’s side had breached the rules and imposed a suspended fine worth £500,000.
The fine is suspended pending the Gunners’ confirmation they are able to comply with the requirements for this season’s FA Cup third round and any potential fixtures beyond that at the Emirates in the 2025-26 campaign.
Arsenal were beaten on penalties by Man United in the clash, where Ruben Amorim’s side played the majority of the second half and extra time with 10 men following Diogo Dalot’s sending off.
Man United were later knocked out of the competition on penalties by Fulham in the fifth round at Old Trafford.
Crystal Palace went on to win the FA Cup after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final at Wembley, with new Arsenal signing Eberechi Eze scoring the winner goal.
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